Food Safety, Preparation and Storage TipsCooperative Extension, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, the University of Arizona

Storing Leftover Turkey

Store leftover turkey properly to prevent food poisoning. From the time
you take the turkey out of the oven, you have 2 hours to serve it, eat it, and then
refrigerate or freeze the leftovers - the turkey, stuffing and gravy. Why just two hours?
Because bacteria that cause food poisoning can multiply to dangerous levels on perishable
food left longer than 2 hours at room temperature.

It is important to take out all of the stuffing from the turkey soon after you remove
the bird from the oven. Extra stuffing can be kept hot in the oven at 200° F while
you eat, or should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking. Cut the turkey meat off
the bones.

Store leftovers properly to prevent bacterial growth. Large quantities should be
divided into smaller portions and stored in several small or shallow covered containers.
Thats because food in small amounts will get cold more quickly. The temperature of
the refrigerator should be 40° F or slightly below.

Leftover turkey will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Stuffing and gravy
should be used within 1 or 2 days. Reheat leftover gravy to a rolling boil or 165 ° F before serving.

For longer storage, package turkey in freezer paper or heavy-duty aluminum foil and
freeze them. Proper wrapping will prevent "freezer burn". Freezer burn is
white, dried-out patches on the surface of food that make it tough and tasteless.
Dont forget to date your packages and use the oldest ones first. Frozen, cooked
turkey, should be used within 4-6 months, and stuffing and gravy should be used within one
month. Foods frozen longer than recommended remain safe but may become dry and lose
flavor.

Resources:

The U of A Fact Sheet 1997. Turkey Preparation-To Stuff or not
to Stuff.